SGX Journal C4W1D2 (Rules for Transformation)

Thoughts: Since I started my quest for fitness last year, I’ve been through three programs:

Body for Life
Leanness Lifestyle
Custom (Bulking)

I’m now on my fourth transformation routine with SGX just because I enjoy the challenge of trying out new nutrition plans and workouts and gauging their effectiveness.

Because I feel that it’s important to get the cleanest results possible, I try to follow some basic rules when I embark on a new transformation journey:

1) Always give a program a minimum of 8-12 weeks before making any judgements about its effectiveness.
2) Do not tweak the program until those 8-12 weeks are complete.
3) Take progress photos and measurements every 4 weeks.
4) Follow the program’s guidelines as closely as possible–this includes both nutrition and exercise.
5) Come up with versions of your favorite meals that still fall within the guidelines of the program as soon as you can.
6) Whining, making excuses, and quitting are for shamming slackers.

Maggie, I was wondering if you’re ever frustrated switching from one eating plan (and exercise routine) to another. I feel like once I’ve found the [i]”best”[/i] eating plan and acitvity schedule for me, that everything else just doesn’t quite sound right. Is it easy to jump right in and follow the program, or does some of the advice seem counterintuitive to you? What eating plan will you fall back on when you’re through with custom eating plans?

Strangely enough, I really get a rush from trying out new things. I think it’s because this is the first time in my life that I am taking control of my health and fitness. I never participated in sports in school, and when I was in the Army, I didn’t really pay attention to the specific effects of physical training–I just did it because that was part of my job, you know?

So in many ways I feel like I’m just learning about a lot of these things for the first time. I am still in the process of figuring out what works for me personally, and since I am a classic INTJ, I’m pretty much indefatigable when it comes to testing out new routines right now.

When I finish up my list of things to try–which should happen by fall of this year (I’m going to give 50/30/20 ratios, HST, and HIT a try next)–I’ll settle down into the routine that works the best for me and stick with it for maintenance.